The sky was
overcast save just above the Francolano. There, over the great black
mountain, two stars trembled; Minucci called di Leyni's attention to
them.
"See how those two little stars flash," said he.
"Dante would say they are the 'little flames' of San Benedetto and Santa
Scolastica, glittering because they perceive, in the shadow, a soul akin
to theirs."
"You speak of saints?" said Marinier, drawing near. "A few minutes ago
I inquired whether you had a saint among you, and I expressed the hope
that you might possess one. These were simply oratorical figures, for
I know well enough that you have no saint. Had you one, he would
immediately be cautioned by the police, or sent to China by the Church."
"Well," di Leyni replied, "what if he were cautioned?"
"Cautioned to-day, he would be imprisoned to-morrow." "And what of
that?" the young man repeated. "How about St. Paul, Abbe Marinier?"
"Ah! my friend! St. Paul, St. Paul--"
By this unfinished sentence the Abbe Marinier probably meant to convey
that St. Paul was St. Paul.
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